Technology and Scienceupdated 38m ago2 min read
Nigeria Confirms Imported Ebola Bundibugyo Case in Abuja, WHO Says Contacts Monitored
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Nigeria confirms first imported Bundibugyo Ebola case in Abuja, woman traveled from Uganda. Symptoms began Oct 7; diagnosis confirmed Oct 20, prompting contact tracing and heightened surveillance.
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“it had taken 12 days since the woman fell sick for her to be tested for Ebola”
The Guardian“authorities had begun tracing 44 people identified as contacts of the patient”
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Nigeria confirms imported case
Nigeria confirmed one imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, becoming the fifth country to detect the virus since an outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 15 May 2026. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the patient is a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda, and the patient’s symptoms began on 7 October, four days after her arrival in Nigeria. The patient sought care at a private health facility in Abuja on 11 October, and laboratory test confirmed Bundibugyo virus on 20 October, with the patient currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention activated its incident management system to coordinate response, and WHO said the Nigerian health authorities identified 44 contacts who are being monitored. WHO emphasized that rapid identification of cases, timely follow-up of contacts and effective infection prevention and control are critical to contain the spread of the virus, while WHO and partners worked with health authorities to strengthen control measures including case investigation and contact tracing.
Africa CDC urges action
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya warned that the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak had become “the most geographically widespread Ebola outbreak in history,” as Nigeria confirmed its first case in Abuja. Kaseya told partners that “Every day of delay costs lives,” and Africa CDC called for immediate, flexible financing, medical supplies, diagnostics, trained responders and stronger community-based surveillance. Kaseya said Africa CDC had begun mobilising support for Nigeria while intensifying its response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya and maintaining heightened vigilance in Uganda.
Kaseya said on X that “we are facing an extremely serious threat,” with a fatality rate of nearly 50% of cases. Kaseya said the Bundibugyo outbreak had become the most geographically extensive in history, affecting several countries spread across three regions of Africa.
Cross-border stakes and readiness
Africa CDC said the outbreak’s regional dimension was tied to a public health emergency of continental security declared in May 2026, and Kaseya warned that the outbreak must not be allowed to continue for another year. Nigeria began tracing 44 people identified as contacts of the patient, while Uganda’s ministry of health said the patient had only transited through Uganda and that the location of exposure remains under investigation. Infection prevention and control measures were being ramped up in the private health facility where the woman sought care, and WHO and partners were assisting with provision of essential supplies including personal protective equipment for health workers.
WHO advised all countries in the region to sustain a high level of readiness as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to evolve, and WHO urged countries to maintain strong disease surveillance and ensure laboratories can safely test suspected cases. WHO also advised against any restrictions regarding travel and trade with affected countries, while WHO said its risk assessment is being regularly reassessed to incorporate the latest developments related to the event.